D’Backs Want Wheeler, Mets Don’t Match Up In Upton Deal

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks are not a good match for a Justin Upton deal.

D’Backs GM Kevin Towers is insisting that he will not lower his trade request for Upton since the deal with the Seattle Mariners evaporated last week. “I’m not taking less,” Towers said at the Scouts Foundation dinner. “I’m in no hurry.”

Apparently, Towers wants pitching prospect Zack Wheeler in any deal with the Mets for his star outfielder. Alderson, of course, would rename his firstborn child, Omar, before allowing that to happen. 😀

As I said when it first all fell apart, that offer by the Seattle Mariners set the bar for Upton’s trade value.

The fact that Upton invoked his no-trade clause was not a signal that the price had dropped on Upton or that the D’Backs were now desperate to trade him. They are about as desperate to trade Upton as Ted Berg is to put Jeff Francoeur in the Mets Hall of Fame. (Farewell, Ted)

Besides… During last week’s conference call, Sandy Alderson made it perfectly clear that he’s in no position to trade any top level prospects.

So God willing, this should close the book on any future Justin Upton posts on MMO. It has been a lot of fun chronicling this story all offseason long for you, even thought it never really had any legs in the first place.

Peace…

Updated by Joe D. on 1/11 at 3:00 PM

So all of a sudden the Mets could be looking to do something significant at the major league level. If true, it would be a first for Alderson since he got here. After Justin Upton gave the thumbs down on the potential Seattle deal, rumors abound that the Mets are reengaging Arizona on the 25 year old star.

The Mets had previously attempted to make a play for Upton earlier in the offseason, but poor Sandy passed out cold when he heard the asking price and had to be revived.

Apparently after some time to contemplate, Sandy’s had some second thoughts and could make a play for him… and then again he could not. It all depends on which writer you want to believe.

I caught MetsBlog’s Michael Baron tossing out a hypothetical that included Michael Fulmer, Wilmer Flores and Jeurys Familia… Ummm no way.

Kevin Towers may be an urban Cowboys, but he;s not going to give up his number one trade chip for that. Realistically any deal would have to include one of Wheeler, Syndergaard or d’Arnaud. Then we can talk all day about the other side dishes, but the first course is definitely going to be prime rib.

Honestly, I’d be shocked if the Mets got anything done, but it’s always fun to dream. Alderson’s idea of a blockbuster is trading superstars for prospects and not the other way around.

Have a great weekend, everyone…

Updated by Perseus on 1/10 at 9:30 PM

Earlier this evening, Justin Upton rejected a trade using the power of his limited no-trade clause to Seattle. The deal that was in place involved a large package of young talent. From MLBTR…

The Mariners offered a four-player package to the D’Backs, according to Scott Miller of CBS Sports. Arizona would have received Nick Franklin, Charlie Furbush, Stephen Pryor and one of Taijuan Walker, Danny Hultzen or James Paxton.

Many other teams have been in talks with the D-backs about Justin Upton, including the Braves, Rangers, Padres, Orioles, and our own Mets.

The teams that are currently on Upton’s limited NTC are the Mariners, Blue Jays, Red Sox, and Cubs. Upton, 25, has three years and $28.5 million remaining on a six-year deal he signed in March of 2010.

Walker, Hultzen, Paxton, and Franklin are ranked #2-6 respectively in the Mariners farm system, by John Sickels and by Baseball America. Stephen Pryor fell just outside the top ten, ranking in at #11. The Mariners have what is considered to be a deep and strong farm system, so their potential package in this trade was huge.

Original Post by Joe D on 1/7

The Mets and Diamondbacks have had discussions about potential trades involving outfielders Justin Upton and Jason Kubel, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.

Heyman adds that Arizona’s asking price was too rich for the Mets’ tastes on Upton, while Kubel wasn’t a perfect fit for the team.

I wonder what they wanted for Upton?

With Alderson you just never know because when he’s buying everything is “too pricey”, but when he’s selling “teams are not offering enough”.

I’m a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins’ 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in ’73, ’00 and ’15, I’ve experienced it all – the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction and interact with other passionate Met fans like you. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.